Floor drain

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a floor drain comprising a drain compartment having a bottom, at least one side and an open upper portion. The bottom and the at least one side together define a space to collect waste water. The bottom comprises an opening for a drain trap. The floor drain further comprises a heat exchanger element, receivable in the space of the drain compartment, for transferring heat present in the waste water to fresh water. The heat exchanger element is provided with a first connection and a second connection. The first connection and the second connection are arranged inside the space of the drain compartment. A first conduit is connected to the first connection and a second conduit is connected to the second connection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage patent application ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/SE2015/050528, filed on May 12,2015, which claims priority to Swedish Patent Application No, 1450630-7,filed on May 27, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein the present disclosure in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floor drain according to the preambleof claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Usually, hot water discharge from appliances where hot and cold waterare to be mixed just before use, for example showers and bath tubs, isled directly into floor drains without a substantial drop of temperaturein the water. The accumulated heat in the water is thus not exploitedcompletely before it is led out into a floor drain and thereby asignificant amount of unused energy is lost. In terms of efficient useof energy it is undesirable to discharge hot waste water withoutrecovering the energy present in the waste water.

It is known to use floor drains comprising a heat exchanger for recoveryof a part of the energy present in hot waste water. The recovered energycan be used to preheat cold water before entering a water heater orbefore being mixed with hot water in an appliance where hot and coldwater are to be mixed just before use. Usually, cold water and hot waterare mixed in a mixer valve to obtain a desired temperature. Most modernmixer valves are temperature regulated such that a constant outputtemperature is achieved despite fluctuations in the cold water supply orthe hot water supply. Thereby preheating of the cold water result inthat less hot water is needed to maintain a given temperature. Thus, theamount of energy consumed to supply hot water is reduced, which resultsin reduced energy costs and environmental benefits.

An example of a known floor drain provided with a heat exchanger forrecovering heat present in used shower water is shown in document EP2453194 A1. The heat exchanger comprises a tube received in a drainchannel. The tube is provided with a feed for cold mains water and adischarge connected to a mixer tap for a shower. An upper cover withopenings and a lower cover with openings are arranged recessed in thedrain channel. Used shower water flows via the openings in the uppercover and in the lower cover and along the tube and heats the cold mainswater before it is carried to the mixer tap. The drain channel isfurther provided with an outlet pipe connected to a sewer.

The floor drain disclosed in document EP 2453194 A1 has severaldrawbacks. One drawback is that it is impossible to inspect theconnection between the heat exchanger tube's feed for cold mains waterand the conduit for cold mains water and the connection between thetube's discharge and the mixer tap when the floor drain is installed ina floor of a building. Yet another drawback is that if these connectionsget damaged it results in water leakage in the floor in which the floordrain is installed. A further drawback is that it is difficult and timeconsuming to install the floor drain in a floor because it is needed tomake room for the connections in the floor, for example by removal of asection of the floor.

The floor drain disclosed in document EP 2453194 A1 is cleaned by takingthe upper cover and the lower cover out of the drain channel and washingand/or brushing the heat exchanger then left clear. It is thus difficultto clean the whole heat exchanger and it is not possible to clean allparts comprised in the floor drain, for example not the outlet pipeunder the heat exchanger. Due to the fact that fouling agents, forexample lime, from the waste water are easily gathered on the heatexchanger and that it is difficult to clean the whole heat exchanger,the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger is easily deteriorated.Because hair and other impurities from the waste water tend toaccumulate in the floor drain and because it is not possible to cleanall parts comprised in the floor drain the risk of clogging of the floordrain is high.

As a consequence, in light of the above drawbacks, there is a need of animproved floor drain which provides the possibility to inspect the abovementioned connections when the floor drain is installed in a floor of abuilding, which is easier and less time consuming to install in thefloor, which reduces the risk of water leakage in the floor wherein thefloor drain is installed, which reduces the risk of reduced thermalefficiency of the heat exchanger element and which reduces the risk ofclogging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacksaccording to prior art.

This subject has been fulfilled with the floor drain according to theclaims.

More specifically, the floor drain comprises a drain compartment havinga bottom, at least one side and an open upper portion. The bottom andthe at least one side together define a space to collect waste water.The bottom comprises an opening for a drain trap. The floor drainfurther comprises a heat exchanger element, receivable in the space ofthe drain compartment, for transferring heat present in the waste waterto fresh water. The heat exchanger element is provided with a firstconnection and a second connection. The first connection and the secondconnection are arranged inside the space of the drain compartment. Afirst conduit is connected to the first connection and a second conduitis connected to the second connection.

Thereby it is easier and less time consuming to install the floor drainbecause it is not needed to make room for the first connection and thesecond connection in a floor of a building, for example by removal of asection of a floor. It is also possible to inspect the first connectionand the second connection inside the space of the drain compartment. Therisk of water leakage in the floor wherein the floor drain is installedis also reduced because if the first connection and/or the secondconnection get damage the water will leak inside the floor drain insteadof in the floor of the building. Thus, the conduits connected to thefirst connection and the second connection should not have anyconnections hidden in the floor or in the walls of a building in orderto eliminate the risk of water leakage in the floor and wall material.

In a further aspect of the invention the first conduit is arranged tocomprise fresh water having a first temperature and the second conduitis arranged to comprise fresh water having a second temperature.

In another aspect of the invention the heat exchanger element ispivotably arranged between a first and a second position. Thereby it ispossible to bring the heat exchanger element in a position wherein thewhole heat exchanger element is not received within the draincompartment. This results in that it is easy to clean the whole heatexchanger element and also in that it is possible to access and cleanthe parts arranged under the heat exchanger. Due to that it is easy toclean the whole heat exchanger element the heat exchanger element can bethoroughly cleaned. Thereby the risk of reduced thermal efficiency ofthe heat exchanger element is reduced. Due to the fact that it ispossible to clean the parts arranged under the heat exchanger the riskof clogging of the floor drain is reduced.

In another aspect of the invention the drain compartment comprises atleast one straight side.

In a further aspect of the invention the heat exchanger element ispivotable about an axis, which axis is substantially parallel with theat least one straight side of the drain compartment.

In a further aspect of the invention the first conduit for fresh waterhaving a first temperature and the second conduit for fresh water havinga second temperature comprise a flexible material. Thereby it is easy topivot the heat exchanger element between the first position and thesecond position.

In yet another aspect of the invention the floor drain further comprisesa partition wall removably arranged within the space of the draincompartment and comprising at least one waste water outlet and a draincontrol unit having walls encircling the at least one waste wateroutlet. The walls are protruding upward from the partition wall and alsoprotruding above the heat exchanger element when the heat exchangerelement is arranged in the first position. In such way the emptying ofwaste water through the waste water outlet encircled by the draincontrol unit is delayed and in turn the heat exchanger element issubmerged in the waste water for a longer time. Thus, increased exchangeof energy between the waste water and the water inside the heatexchanger element is obtained.

In another aspect of the invention the floor drain further comprises acover removably arranged upon the open upper portion of the draincompartment and provided with at least one first opening via which wastewater is arranged to enter the space of the drain compartment. The covermakes it possible to give the floor drain a more aesthetic appearance.

In a further aspect of the invention the first opening for waste waterin the cover is orientated in relation to the at least one waste wateroutlet in the partition wall such that flow of waste water in the spaceof the drain compartment is directed in a direction essentially oppositeto the direction of the fresh water in the heat exchanger element. Thus,the heat exchanger is operated in counter flow and thereby theefficiency of the heat exchanger element is increased.

In yet another aspect of the invention the floor drain further comprisesa waste water guiding element removably arranged within the space of thedrain compartment and arranged to slope downwards towards the heatexchanger element, with an angle a in relation to the open upper portionof the drain compartment. The waste water guiding element is providedwith at least one second opening via which waste water is arranged toenter the space of the drain compartment. The at least one secondopening is arranged in a lowermost part of the waste water guidingelement. The waste water guiding element makes it possible to direct theflow of waste water inside the drain compartment.

In another aspect of the invention the at least one second opening forwaste water in the waste water guiding element is orientated in relationto the at least one waste water outlet in the partition wall such thatflow of waste water in the space of the drain compartment is directed ina direction essentially opposite to the direction of the fresh water inthe heat exchanger element. Thus, the heat exchanger is operated incounter flow and thereby, as mentioned above, the efficiency of the heatexchanger element is increased.

In a further aspect of the invention the angle a is preferably betweenabout 0.01° and about 15°. Thereby the waste water flows along the wastewater guiding element at a suitable rate.

In yet another aspect of the invention a plurality of second openingsare arranged in a row. The row of second openings prevents hair andother impurities from entering the drain compartment. Thereby the riskthat hair and other impurities accumulate in the floor drain is reducedand in turn the risk of clogging of the floor drain is reduced.

In another aspect of the invention the floor drain further comprises adrain trap arranged in connection to the at least one waste wateroutlet. Thereby the risk of obnoxious smells from the floor drain isreduced.

In a further aspect of the invention the fresh water having a firsttemperature is tap water. Tap water is advantageously used for bathingor washing.

In yet another aspect of the invention the second conduit for freshwater having a second temperature is connected to a water valve or amixer valve and/or a water heater. Thus, the recovered heat is reused.Thereby the amount of energy consumed to supply hot water is reducedresulting in reduced energy costs and environmental benefits.

Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention are evidentfrom the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is described with reference toembodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1-4 show schematic views illustrating the effect obtained by usingthe floor drain according to the present invention,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein the floordrain is exploded, according to the present invention,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein the floordrain is assembled, according to the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein the heatexchanger element is in the first position, according to the presentinvention, and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein the heatexchanger element is in the second position, according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1-4 show schematic views illustrating the effect obtained by usingthe floor drain 1 according to the present invention. In FIG. 1-4, thedashed lines are water and the straight arrows show the direction of thewater flow. A shower is shown in FIG. 1-4. It is also possible to usethe floor drain 1 together with a bath tub, a washing machine, a dishwasher or any other appliance where hot and cold water are to be mixedjust before use. The effect will first be described with reference toFIG. 1.

A shower head 46 is arranged above the floor drain 1 which is arrangedin a floor 48. The definition of a “floor drain” is a drain that isinstalled in a floor so that the top of the floor drain is substantiallyin the same level as the floor surface. The floor drain 1 comprises aheat exchanger element 14 arranged inside a drain compartment 2. Theheat exchanger element 14 is connected with a first connection 16 to afirst conduit 18 for fresh water having a first temperature t1 and witha second connection 20 to a second conduit 22 for fresh water having asecond temperature t2. Thus, the first connection 16 and the secondconnection 20 are arranged inside the drain compartment 2 in order toprevent water leakage outside the drain compartment 2.

The second conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2 isfurther connected to the inlet of a mixer valve 42. The mixer valve 42is further connected to a third conduit 50 for fresh water having athird temperature t3. The third conduit 50 for fresh water having athird temperature t3 is further connected to a water heater 44 which inturn is connected to the first conduit 18 for fresh water having a firsttemperature t1. The shower head 46 and the mixer valve 42 are connectedto each other by a fourth conduit 51 for fresh water having a fourthtemperature t4.

During showering, fresh water having a first temperature t1 is suppliedby the first conduit 18 to the heat exchanger element 14 in the floordrain 1 and to the water heater 44. Further, fresh water having a secondtemperature t2 is supplied by the second conduit 22 and fresh waterhaving a third temperature t3 is supplied by the third conduit 50 to themixer valve 42. In the mixer valve 42, the fresh water having a secondtemperature t2 and the fresh water having a third temperature t3 ismixed to supply fresh water having a fourth temperature t4 to the fourthconduit 51 and the shower head 46.

At the beginning of showering, the first temperature t1 and the secondtemperature t2 is essentially the same. The first temperature t1 and thesecond temperature t2 can for example be 7° C. The fresh water having athird temperature t3 has been heated by the water heater 44, thus thethird temperature t3 is higher than the first temperature t1 and thesecond temperature t2. The third temperature t3 can for example be 60°C. The water supplied by the shower head 46 leaves the floor 48 throughthe floor drain 1. If the fourth temperature t4 is higher than the firsttemperature t1, the floor drains 1 heat exchanger element 14 recuperatesa part of the heat energy present in the waste water. (Any changes ofthe temperature of the water that is supplied by the shower head 46 isdisregarded.) The fourth temperature t4 can for example be 37° C.

The recuperated energy heats the water inside the heat exchanger element14. This results in that the second temperature t2 is increased (thusthe second temperature t2 becomes higher than the first temperature t1)and in that the temperature of the waste water leaving the floor drain 1is decreased. In this stage, the second temperature t2 can for examplebe 25° C. and the temperature of the waste water leaving the floor drain1 can for example also be 25° C.

In the mixer valve 42, the fresh water having a third temperature t3 nowis mixed with the fresh water having a second temperature t2, whichsecond temperature t2 (as mentioned above) has been raised. Thereforeless fresh water having a third temperature t3 needs to be used forobtaining fresh water having a constant fourth temperature t4. Therebyenergy for heating up water is saved.

Preferably, the mixer valve 42 is a thermostatic mixer valve. Athermostatic mixer valve controls the relative proportions of hot andcold water, supplied to an outlet of the thermostatic mixer valve, inaccordance with user selection of the outlet water temperature and athermal control system to compensate for changes in the temperatureand/or pressure and/or flow rate of the water supplied to an inlet ofthe thermostatic mixer valve to maintain the desired constant outletwater temperature.

The mixer valve 42 can also be a mechanical mixer valve. A mechanicalmixer valve cannot automatically compensate for changes in thetemperature and/or pressure and/or flow rate of the water supplied to aninlet of the mechanical mixer valve. If the mixer valve 42 is amechanical mixer valve, the user of the shower has to adjust the mixervalve 42 to compensate for changes in the temperature and/or pressureand/or flow rate of the water supplied to the inlet of the mechanicalmixer valve to maintain a desired constant outlet water temperature.

It is also possible to not use a mixer valve 42 at all. This is shown inFIG. 2. FIG. 2 is exactly the same as FIG.1 except from that FIG. 1shows a mixer valve 42, a fourth conduit 51 and a shower head 46 andFIG. 2 shows two separate water valves 40, 52 and a mixing element 54.One water valve 52 is connected to the third conduit 50 for fresh waterhaving a third temperature t3 and the other water valve 40 is connectedto the second conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2.It is possible, but not necessary, to use a mixing element 54, forexample a funnel, to mix the water supplied by the second conduit 22 forfresh water having a second temperature t2 and the third conduit 50 forfresh water having a third temperature t3. In FIG. 2 the water valves40, 52 are connected after the water heater 44 and the heat exchangerelement 14. It is also possible, in for example pressure less systems,to connect the water valves 40, 52 before the water heater 44 and theheat exchanger element 14 (this is not shown).

In FIG. 1 the recuperated energy is used to preheat water supplied tothe mixer valve 42 and in FIG. 2 the recuperated energy is used topreheat water supplied to the inlet of the water valve 40. It is alsopossible to preheat water supplied to the water heater 44. This is shownin FIG. 3. FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is exactly the same except from that thewater heater 44 is connected to the first conduit 18 for fresh waterhaving a first temperature t1 in FIG. 1 and that the water heater 44 isconnected to the second conduit 22 for fresh water having a secondtemperature t2 in FIG. 3. Further, it is also possible to preheat watersupplied to both the mixer valve 42 and the water heater 44. This isshown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is exactly the same as FIG. 3 except from thatboth the mixer valve 42 and the water heater 44 is connected to thesecond conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2 in FIG.4 and that the mixer valve 42 is not connected to the second conduit 22for fresh water having a second temperature t2 in FIG. 3. It is alsopossible to preheat water supplied to both the water valve 40 and thewater heater 44 (this is not shown). The preheated water is often usedfor showering or washing, therefore the fresh water having a firsttemperature t1 advantageously is tap water. The tap water can be potablewater or process water.

FIG. 1-4 show, as mentioned above, that the first conduit 18 isconnected to the heat exchanger element 14 with the first connection 16and that the second conduit 22 is connected to the heat exchangerelement 14 with the second connection 20. The first connection 16 andthe second connection 20 are, as mentioned above, arranged inside thedrain compartment 2. Thus, there are no connections connecting the heatexchanger element 14 to the first conduit 18 and to the second conduit22 outside the drain compartment 2.

No hidden connections, such as coupling elements, are present betweenthe first connection 16 and the water heater 44 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 andbetween the first connection 16 and the mixer valve 42 in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4. Thus, the first conduit 18 is continuous between the firstconnection 16 and the water heater 44 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and betweenthe first connection 16 and the mixer valve 42 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

There are also no hidden connections present between the secondconnection 20 and the inlet of the mixer valve 42 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4,between the second connection 20 and the water valve 40 in FIG. 2 andbetween the second connection 20 and the water heater 44 in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4. Thus, the second conduit 22 is continuous between the secondconnection 20 and the inlet of a mixer valve 42 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4,between the second connection 20 and the water valve 40 in FIG. 2 andbetween the second connection 20 and the water heater 44 in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4

Since no such hidden connections are needed the risk of water leakagebetween the conduit 18, 22 and the coupling element 16, 20 iseliminated. Thus, damages due to water leakage in floor and wallelements can therefore be avoided.

The floor drain 1 will further be described with reference to FIG. 5-8.FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the floor drain 1, wherein the floordrain 1 is exploded and FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the floordrain 1, wherein the floor drain 1 is assembled.

The floor drain 1 comprises the drain compartment 2 having a bottom 4,four sides 6 and an open upper portion 8. The sides 6 and the bottom 4together define a space 10 to collect waste water. The floor drain 1further comprises a heat exchanger element 14, receivable in the space10 of the drain compartment 2, for transferring heat present in thewaste water to the fresh water inside the heat exchanger element 14. Thebottom 4 of the drain compartment 2 comprises an opening 11. The opening11 assures that the waste water in the drain compartment 2 is emptiedwhen the floor drain 1 is not used.

The heat exchanger element 14 is connected with a first connection 16 tothe first conduit 18 for fresh water having a first temperature t1 andwith the second connection 20 to a second conduit 22 for fresh waterhaving a second temperature t2. One side 6 of the drain compartment 2comprises two openings 56, 56′ (shown in FIG. 5). The first conduit 18is arranged through the opening 56 and the second conduit 22 is arrangedthrough the opening 56. It is also possible to arrange the first conduit18 through the opening 56 and to arrange the second conduit 22 throughthe opening 56. The first conduit 18 and the second conduit 22 arethereby arranged both inside the drain compartment 2 and outside thedrain compartment 2 (i.e. inside the floor 48). The dashed lines in FIG.6-8 show the extension of the first conduit 18 and the second conduit22.

Preferably, a sealing (not shown) is arranged between the first conduit18 and the opening 56 and a further sealing (not shown) is arrangedbetween the second conduit 22 and the opening 56′ so that no water canexit from the drain compartment 2, through the openings 56, 56 and intothe floor 48. It is also possible to connect the heat exchanger element14 with the first connection 16 to a pipe-in-pipe (not shown) and withthe second connection 20 to a further pipe-in-pipe (not shown). Apipe-in-pipe (also called PiP) is a pipe inserted inside a protectiveconduit pipe. If pipe-in-pipes are used, the outer protective conduitpipes function as sealings against the openings 56, 56′.

The fresh water entering the heat exchanger element 14 has the firsttemperature t1 and the fresh water exiting the heat exchanger element 14has the second temperature t2. During showering (and if, as mentionedabove, the fourth temperature t4 is higher than the first temperaturet1) the fresh water inside the heat exchanger element 14 will absorbenergy, from the waste water inside the drain compartment 2, whenpassing through the heat exchanger element 14 and as a result the secondtemperature t2 is raised. Thus, the second temperature t2 becomes higherthan the first temperature t1.

The first connection 16 and the second connection 20 are arranged insidethe space 10 of the drain compartment 2. The first connection 16 and thesecond connection 20 can comprise couplings or be welded connections.The couplings can for example be swivel couplings. A swivel coupling isa coupling between two parts enabling one to revolve without turning theother. If the first connection 16 and the second connection 20 arearranged as swivelling couplings, the heat exchanger element 14 isallowed to be pivoted between a first position pi and a second positionp2. Thereby the first connection 16 and the second connection 20 can beflexible connections. According to this embodiment, the conduits 18, 22may be made of a stiff material, such as copper or steel. The heatexchanger element 14 is preferably made of a material with a highthermal conductivity and a high corrosion resistance, for examplecopper, to achieve high heat exchange efficiency between the waste waterin the drain compartment 2 and the fresh water inside the heat exchangerelement 14.

The drain compartment 2 further comprises a partition wall 25 removablyarranged within the space 10 of the drain compartment 2 and under theheat exchanger element 14. The partition wall 25 comprises at least onewaste water outlet 12, 13 and a drain control unit 26 having walls 28encircling a waste water outlet 12. The walls 28 are protruding upwardfrom the partition wall 25 and the walls 28 are also protruding abovethe heat exchanger element 14 when the heat exchanger element 14 isarranged in a first position pi. The first position pi is describedfurther below. Thereby the whole heat exchanger element 14 is completelysubmerged in the waste water filled in the drain compartment 2 and theenergy present in the waste water is efficiently transferred to thefresh water inside the heat exchanger element 14. The waste wateroutlets 12, 13 and the opening 11 allow completely emptying of the draincompartment 2. Thereby the risk of reduced thermal efficiency of theheat exchanger element 14 is reduced. The ability to empty the draincompartment 2 also reduces the risk of mold formation in the waste waterin the space 10 of the drain compartment 2 and thereby also the risk ofobnoxious smells from the floor drain 1 is reduced.

The floor drain 1 further comprises a waste water guiding element 34removably arranged within the space 10 of the drain compartment 2 andabove the heat exchanger element 14. The waste water guiding element 34is arranged to slope downwards towards the heat exchanger element 14with an angle a in relation to the open upper portion 8 of the draincompartment 2. The angle a is preferably between about 0.01° and about15°. The waste water guiding element 34 is provided with second openings36 via which waste water is arranged to enter the space 10 of the draincompartment 2. The second openings 36 are arranged in a row in alowermost part of the waste water guiding element 34. It is preferablethat the size of the second openings 36 is not too large to preventforeign substances from flowing into the drain compartment 2.

The second openings 36 for waste water in the waste water guidingelement 34 is orientated in relation to the waste water outlets 12, 13in the partition wall 25 such that flow of waste water in the space 10of the drain compartment 2 is directed in a direction essentiallyopposite to the direction of the fresh water in the heat exchangerelement 14. Thus, the heat exchanger element 14 is operated in counterflow. The best efficiency of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger is obtainedif the two liquids, between which energy is transferred, flow inopposite directions.

The partition wall 25 and/or the water guiding element 34 may becorrugated in order to guide waste water in suitable directions inbetween different parts of the heat exchanger element 14.

The floor drain 1 further comprises a cover 30 removably arranged uponthe open upper portion 8 of the drain compartment 2 and provided withfirst openings 32 via which waste water is arranged to enter the space10 of the drain compartment 2. If the floor drain 1 does not comprise awaste water guiding element 34, the first openings 32 for waste water inthe cover 30 are preferably orientated in relation to the waste wateroutlets 12, 13 in the partition wall 25 such that flow of waste water inthe space 10 of the drain compartment 2 is directed in a directionessentially opposite to the direction of the fresh water in the heatexchanger element 14. In such way the heat exchanger element 14 isoperated in counter flow. If the floor drain 1 comprises a waste waterguiding element 34, the first openings 32 for waste water in the cover30 are preferably arranged over the whole waste water guiding element34. In such way waste water is easily drained from the floor in whichthe floor drain 1 is arranged. The floor drain 1 can comprise a draintrap (not shown) in connection to the waste water outlets 12, 13.

The drain trap can be arranged in the opening 11. If the floor drain 1does not comprise a drain trap it is called a scupper.

The heat exchanger element 14 is pivotably arranged between a firstposition pi and a second position p2. The first position pi is aposition wherein the whole heat exchanger element 14 is received withinthe drain compartment 2, which is shown in FIG. 7. The second positionp2 is a position wherein the whole heat exchanger element 14 is notreceived within the drain compartment 2, which is shown in FIG. 8. Theheat exchanger element 14 can be pivotably arranged by using for examplea first conduit 18 for fresh water having a first temperature t1comprising a flexible material and a second conduit 22 for fresh waterhaving a second temperature t2 comprising a flexible material. Theflexible material will flex when the heat exchanger element 14 ispivoted between the positions pi and p2. The heat exchanger element 14is pivotable about an axis A, which axis A is substantially parallelwith one straight side 6 of the drain compartment 2. It is possible forthe floor drain 1 to have several straight sides 6 and it is alsopossible for the floor drain 1 to not have any straight sides 6, forexample if the floor drain 1 has a round shape.

During use of the floor drain 1, for example during showering, the heatexchanger element 14 is arranged in the first position pi. Duringcleaning of the floor drain 1, the cover 30, the partition wall 25 andthe waste water guiding element 34 are removed from the floor drain 1and the heat exchanger element 14 is pivoted from the first position pito the second position p2. Then it is possible to easily clean the cover30, the partition wall 25, the waste water guiding element 34 and theheat exchanger element 14. Thereby it is also possible to access a draintrap (not shown) if provided in the opening 11.

The present invention is of course not in any way restricted to thepreferred embodiments described above, but many possibilities tomodifications, or combinations of the described embodiments, thereofshould be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the basic idea of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A floor drain, comprising; a drain compartment having a bottom , atleast one side and an open upper portion, wherein the bottom and the atleast one side together define a space to collect waste water andwherein the bottom comprises an opening for a drain trap; and a heatexchanger element, placed in the space of the drain compartment, fortransferring heat present in the waste water to fresh water, which heatexchanger element is provided with a first connection and a secondconnection, wherein the first connection and the second connection arearranged inside the space of the drain compartment, a first conduit isconnected to the first connection, and a second conduit is connected tothe second connection.
 2. The floor drain according to claim 1, whereinthe first conduit is arranged to have fresh water having a firsttemperature and that the second conduit is arranged to have fresh waterhaving a second temperature.
 3. The floor drain according to claim 2,wherein the heat exchanger element is pivotably arranged between a firstposition and a second position.
 4. The floor drain according to claim 1,wherein the drain compartment comprises at least one straight side. 5.The floor drain according to claims 4, wherein the heat exchangerelement is pivotable about an axis, which axis is substantially parallelwith the at least one straight side of the drain compartment.
 6. Thefloor drain according to claim 3, wherein the first conduit for freshwater having a first temperature and the second conduit for fresh waterhaving a second temperature comprise a flexible material.
 7. The floordrain according to claim 3, further comprising a partition wallremovably arranged within the space of the drain compartment andcomprising at least one waste water outlet and a drain control unithaving walls encircling the at least one waste water outlet, wherein thewalls are protruding upward from the partition wall and wherein thewalls are protruding above the heat exchanger element when the heatexchanger element is arranged in the first position.
 8. The floor drainaccording to claim 1, further comprising a cover removably arranged uponthe open upper portion of the drain compartment and provided with atleast one first opening via which waste water is arranged to enter thespace of the drain compartment.
 9. The floor drain according to claims7, wherein the first opening for waste water in the cover is orientatedin relation to the at least one waste water outlet in the partition wallsuch that flow of waste water in the space of the drain compartment isdirected in a direction essentially opposite to the direction of thefresh water in the heat exchanger element.
 10. The floor drain accordingto claim 1, further comprising a waste water guiding element removablyarranged within the space of the drain compartment and arranged to slopedownwards towards the heat exchanger element, with an angle in relationto the open upper portion of the drain compartment, and provided with atleast one second opening via which waste water is arranged to enter thespace of the drain compartment, wherein the at least one second openingis arranged in a lowermost part of the waste water guiding element. 11.The floor drain according to claim 7, wherein the at least one secondopening for waste water in the waste water guiding element is orientatedin relation to the at least one waste water outlet in the partition wallsuch that flow of waste water in the space of the drain compartment isdirected in a direction essentially opposite to the direction of thefresh water in the heat exchanger element.
 12. The floor drain accordingto claim 10, wherein the angle is preferably between about 0.01° andabout 15°.
 13. The floor drain according to claim 10, wherein aplurality of second openings are arranged in a row.
 14. The floor drainaccording to claim 1, further comprising a drain trap arranged inconnection to the at least one waste water outlet.
 15. The floor drainaccording to claim 1, wherein the fresh water inside the heat exchangerelement is tap water.
 16. The floor drain according to claim 1, whereinthe second conduit for fresh water having a second temperature isconnected to a water valve or a mixer valve and/or a water heater.